2010 United States state legislative elections

Last updated

2010 United States state legislative elections
Flag of the United States.svg
  2009 November 2, 2010 2011  

88 legislative chambers in 46 states
 Majority partyMinority partyThird party
 
Party Republican Democratic Coalition
Chambers before37611 [a]
Chambers after57401 [a]
Overall changeIncrease2.svg 20Decrease2.svg 21 [b] Steady2.svg

2010 United States upper house state legislative elections.svg
Map of upper house elections:
     Democrats retained control
     Republicans gained control     Republicans retained control
     Coalition retained control
     Non-partisan legislature
     No regularly-scheduled elections

2010 United States lower house state legislative elections.svg
Map of lower house elections:
     Democrats retained control
     Republicans gained control     Republicans retained control
     Split body formed
     Non-partisan legislature
     No regularly-scheduled elections

The 2010 United States state legislative elections were held on November 2, 2010, halfway through President Barack Obama's first term in office. Elections were held for 88 legislative chambers, with all states but Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia holding elections in at least one house. Kansas and New Mexico held elections for their lower, but not upper houses. Four territorial chambers in three territories and the District of Columbia were up as well. The winners of this election cycle served in their respective legislatures for either two or four-year terms, depending on state election rules.

Contents

Owing to the slow recovery from the Great Recession, the unpopularity of Democratic president Barack Obama, and the highly-publicized and chaotic passage of the Affordable Care Act, Republicans scored record gains. They net a total of 680 seats and took control of 20 legislative chambers, while the Democrats lost 21 chambers.

The Republican victories gave the party unprecedented power over the redrawing of congressional and state legislative districts following the 2010 census. They also used their newfound majorities to pass conservative legislation in a number of states, weakening labor unions, restricting abortion access, cutting taxes, and reducing government regulation.

Summary table

Regularly-scheduled elections were held in 88 of the 99 state legislative chambers in the United States; nationwide, regularly-scheduled elections were held for 6,064 of the 7,383 legislative seats. Most legislative chambers held elections for all seats, but some legislative chambers that use staggered elections held elections for only a portion of the total seats in the chamber. [1] The chambers that were not up for election either hold regularly-scheduled elections in odd-numbered years, or have four-year terms and hold all regularly-scheduled elections in presidential election years.

Note that this table only covers regularly-scheduled elections; additional special elections took place concurrently with these regularly-scheduled elections.

StateUpper House [1] Lower House [1]
Seats upTotal % upTermSeats upTotal % upTerm
Alabama 353510041051051004
Alaska 102050440401002
Arizona 3030100260601002
Arkansas 1835512/4 [c] 1001001002
California 204050480801002
Colorado 173549465651002
Connecticut 363610021511511002
Delaware 1021482/4 [c] 41411002
Florida 2040502/4 [c] 1201201002
Georgia 565610021801801002
Hawaii 1225482/4 [c] 51511002
Idaho 3535100270701002
Illinois 3959662/4 [c] 1181181002
Indiana 25505041001001002
Iowa 25505041001001002
Kansas 040041251251002
Kentucky 19385041001001002
Louisiana 03904010504
Maine 353510021511511002
Maryland 474710041411411004
Massachusetts 404010021601601002
Michigan 383810041101101002
Minnesota 67671002/4 [c] 1341341002
Mississippi 05204012204
Missouri 17345041631631002
Montana 25505041001001002
Nebraska 24 [d] 49 [d] 49 [d] 4N/A (unicameral)
Nevada 112152442421002
New Hampshire 242410024004001002
New Jersey 04002/4 [c] 08002
New Mexico 042100470701002
New York 626210021501501002
North Carolina 505010021201201002
North Dakota 24475144794504
Ohio 163352499991002
Oklahoma 24485041011011002
Oregon 153050460601002
Pennsylvania 25505042032031002
Rhode Island 3838100275751002
South Carolina 046041241241002
South Dakota 3535100270701002
Tennessee 173352499991002
Texas 1531482/4 [c] 1501501002
Utah 142948475751002
Vermont 303010021501501002
Virginia 04004010002
Washington 254949498981002
West Virginia 17345041001001002
Wisconsin 173352499991002
Wyoming 153050460601002
Total1105197156N/A4958541192N/A

Electoral predictions

Analysts predicted a very strong showing for the Republicans, anticipating a nationwide wave election in their favor. This was attributed to the nation's slow recovery from the Great Recession, the chaotic passage and implementation of the Affordable Care Act, immigration, and the large number of legislative chambers and governorships that Democrats controlled after the 2006 and 2008 elections. [2] As the campaign progressed, Democratic prospects only became worse, leading to the largest gap in legislative chambers held by each party considered vulnerable in over a decade. [3] By election day, Republicans were expected to be able to flip between eleven and twenty seven legislative chambers from Democrats, with only one Republican-held chamber considered vulnerable. [4]

Ratings are designated as follows:

StateChamberLast

election

Governing

Nov. 1, 2010 [4]

Result
Alabama Senate D 23–12 Lean R (flip)R 22–12–1
House of Representatives D 62–43 Lean R (flip)R 62–43
Alaska Senate Coal. 16–4 TossupCoal. 15–5
House of Representatives R 22–18 Lean RR 24–16
Arizona Senate R 18–12 Safe RR 21–9
House of Representatives R 36–24 Safe RR 40–20
Arkansas Senate D 27–8 Safe DD 20–15
House of Representatives D 71–28–1 Safe DD 55–45
California State Senate D 25–15 Safe DD 25–15
State Assembly D 50–29–1 Safe DD 52–28
Colorado Senate D 21–14 Lean DD 20–15
House of Representatives D 38–27 TossupR 33–32
Connecticut State Senate D 24–12 Safe DD 23–13
House of Representatives D 114–37 Safe DD 99–52
Delaware Senate D 16–5 Safe DD 14–7
House of Representatives D 24–17 Lean DD 26–15
Florida Senate R 26–14 Safe RR 28–12
House of Representatives R 76–44 Safe RR 81–39
Georgia State Senate R 34–22 Safe RR 35–21
House of Representatives R 105–74–1 Safe RR 108–71–1
Hawaii Senate D 23–2 Safe DD 24–1
House of Representatives D 45–6 Safe DD 43–8
Idaho Senate R 28–7 Safe RR 28–7
House of Representatives R 52–18 Safe RR 57–13
Illinois Senate D 37–22 Likely DD 34–25
House of Representatives D 70–48 Lean DD 64–54
Indiana Senate R 33–17 Safe RR 36–14
House of Representatives D 52–48 Lean R (flip)R 60–40
Iowa Senate D 32–18 Lean DD 26–24
House of Representatives D 57–43 TossupR 60–40
Kansas House of Representatives R 77–48 Safe RR 92–33
Kentucky Senate R 21–16–1 Likely RR 22–15–1
House of Representatives D 65–35 Likely DD 58–42
Maine Senate D 20–15 TossupR 20–14–1
House of Representatives D 95–55–1 Likely DR 78–72–1
Maryland Senate D 33–14 Safe DD 35–12
House of Delegates D 104–37 Safe DD 98–43
Massachusetts Senate D 35–5 Safe DD 36–4
House of Representatives D 144–15–1 Safe DD 130–30
Michigan Senate R 21–17 Likely RR 26–12
House of Representatives D 67–43 TossupR 63–47
Minnesota Senate D 44–23 Likely DR 37–30
House of Representatives D 87–47 Lean DR 72–62
Missouri Senate R 23–11 Safe RR 26–8
House of Representatives R 89–74 Safe RR 105–58
Montana Senate R 27–23 Likely RR 28–22
House of Representatives D 50–50 Lean R (flip)R 68–32
Nevada Senate D 12–9 Lean DD 11–10
Assembly D 28–14 Likely DD 26–16
New Hampshire Senate D 14–10 Lean R (flip)R 19–5
House of Representatives D 225–175 Lean R (flip)R 298–102
New Mexico House of Representatives D 45–25 Likely DD 36–34
New York State Senate D 32–30 TossupR 32–30
State Assembly D 107–41–1–1 Safe DD 99–50–1
North Carolina Senate D 30–20 TossupR 31–19
House of Representatives D 68–52 TossupR 67–52–1
North Dakota Senate R 26–21 Safe RR 35–12
House of Representatives R 58–36 Safe RR 69–25
Ohio Senate R 21–12 Safe RR 23–10
House of Representatives D 53–46 Lean R (flip)R 59–40
Oklahoma Senate R 26–22 Safe RR 32–16
House of Representatives R 61–40 Safe RR 70–31
Oregon State Senate D 18–12 Lean DD 16–14
House of Representatives D 36–24 Likely D30–30
Pennsylvania State Senate R 30–20 Safe RR 30–20
House of Representatives D 104–99 Lean R (flip)R 112–91
Rhode Island Senate D 33–4–1 Safe DD 29–8–1
House of Representatives D 69–6 Safe DD 65–10
South Carolina House of Representatives R 73–51 Safe RR 76–48
South Dakota Senate R 21–14 Safe RR 30–5
House of Representatives R 46–24 Safe RR 50–19–1
Tennessee Senate R 19–14 Likely RR 20–13
House of Representatives R 50–49 Likely RR 64–34–1
Texas Senate R 19–12 Safe RR 19–12
House of Representatives R 76–74 Likely RR 99–51
Utah State Senate R 21–8 Safe RR 22–7
House of Representatives R 53–22 Safe RR 58–17
Vermont Senate D 23–7 Safe DD 21–8–1
House of Representatives D 94–48–5–3 Safe DD 94–48–5–3
Washington State Senate D 31–18 Lean DD 27–22
House of Representatives D 62–36 Lean DD 56–42
West Virginia Senate D 26–8 Safe DD 28–6
House of Delegates D 71–29 Safe DD 65–35
Wisconsin Senate D 18–15 Lean R (flip)R 19–14
State Assembly D 52–46–1 Lean R (flip)R 60–38–1
Wyoming Senate R 23–7 Safe RR 26–4
House of Representatives R 41–19 Safe RR 50–10

National results

Republicans made substantial gains in state legislatures across the nation. Twenty chambers flipped from Democratic to Republican control, giving Republicans full control of eleven state legislatures and control of one chamber in Colorado, Iowa, and New York. [6] [7] Additionally, Republicans gained enough seats in the Oregon House of Representatives to produce a 30-30 party split, pushing Democrats into a power-sharing agreement that resulted in the election of two "co-speakers" (one from each party) to lead the chamber. [8] Republicans gained a net of 680 seats in state legislative races, breaking the previous record of 628 flipped seats set by Democrats in the post-Watergate elections of 1974. [9]

Six states saw both chambers switch from Democrat to Republican majorities: Alabama (where the Republicans won a majority and a trifecta for the first time since 1874), Maine (for the first time since 1964), Minnesota (for the first time since 1915 in partisan elections and 1973 in non-partisan elections), New Hampshire, North Carolina (for the first time since 1896), and Wisconsin. In addition, by picking up the lower chambers in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Montana [h] and Pennsylvania, Republicans gained control of both chambers in an additional five states. Further, Republicans picked up one chamber from Democrats in Colorado, Iowa, and New York to split control in those states. They expanded majorities in both chambers in Texas, Florida, and Georgia. [10] [11]

Impact

The massive Republican gains made in 2010 immensely strengthened their position on the national stage. This had both short-term effects, such as their ability to counter the policies of president Barack Obama, as well as long term consequences due to the impending redistricting cycle. In the short term, these elections heralded in a conservative shift in state legislatures across the country, especially in the states where Republicans gained complete control. This led to a tightening of policies surrounding abortion, a loosening of tax policy, and the curtailing of the power of labor unions. Many of these states refused to accept the Medicaid expansion offered by the Affordable Care Act meant to close the Medicaid coverage gap. [12]

Labor unions

Three states where Republicans gained complete control of state government in 2010, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, would establish right-to-work laws during the following decade. [13] States passed a number of other wide-ranging bills to weaken public-sector unions, most notoriously in Wisconsin with the passage of Act 10, which led to massive protests and recall elections in 2011. [14] [15] Efforts to pass a similar bill in Ohio failed after a veto referendum overwhelmingly rejected it in 2011. [16]

Partisan control of congressional redistricting after the 2010 elections, with the number of U.S. House seats each state will receive.
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Democratic control
Republican control
Split or bipartisan control
Independent redistricting commission
No redistricting necessary USCongressionalRedistrictingPartisanControl2010.svg
Partisan control of congressional redistricting after the 2010 elections, with the number of U.S. House seats each state will receive.
  Democratic control
  Republican control
  Split or bipartisan control
  Independent redistricting commission
  No redistricting necessary

Redistricting

Republicans' massive state legislative gains timed perfectly with the release of the results of the 2010 census, giving the party unprecedented control over congressional and legislative district maps until after the 2020 elections. [17] [18] [19] Republicans, knowing this ahead of time, deliberately targeted vulnerable Democratic incumbents and Democratic-held legislative chambers in order to maximize their power in the upcoming redistricting cycle. [20] As a result, Republicans fully controlled the redistricting of 210 congressional districts across 18 states, minimizing Democratic control to a mere 44 congressional districts across 6 states. [21] The impact of this was most immediately felt during the 2012 elections, where Barack Obama won the presidential election and Democratic U.S. House candidates won a plurality of the nationwide popular vote, but Republicans maintained control of the chamber. [22]

Legacy

The 2010 midterms ushered in an era of Republican dominance of statewide politics fueled by a Democratic collapse in white, rural, and southern regions of the country.

Democrats lost significant ground in majority-White, rural areas across the former Confederacy in the 2010 and 2011 elections due to both electoral losses and party switching. Democrats lost more and more ground throughout the 2010s and gained have virtually none of it back since.
Republican hold (651)
Republican gain through election (127)
Representative switched to the Republican Party (32)
Democratic hold (502)
Democratic gain through election (9)
Independent hold (4)
Independent gain through election (1) 2010-2011 former Confederate state house elections.svg
Democrats lost significant ground in majority-White, rural areas across the former Confederacy in the 2010 and 2011 elections due to both electoral losses and party switching. Democrats lost more and more ground throughout the 2010s and gained have virtually none of it back since.
  Republican hold (651)
  Republican gain through election (127)
  Representative switched to the Republican Party (32)
  Democratic hold (502)
  Democratic gain through election (9)
  Independent hold (4)
  Independent gain through election (1)

Southern, rural Democratic fall

Democrats had been slowly losing ground in the rural South for the past several decades leading up to the 2010 elections. Democrats lost nearly every southern legislative chamber up for election in 2010, with White, rural incumbents primarily falling victim. Republicans successfully tied the conservative Democrats in these seats to the more liberal national party, eroding their local support and tying them to policies unpopular in their districts. A number of incumbents who survived would later switch to the Republican party, with many doing so before or immediately after the election. This left most Southern Democratic caucuses primarily made up of African American and Hispanic legislators, often based in urban areas, with a nearly extinct White, rural caucus, and a weakened but slowly growing suburban caucus. [23] By 2014, Republicans controlled every governorship, U.S. Senate seat, and legislative chamber in the former Confederacy. [24]

The 2010 elections sparked a sharp decline in Democratic support in rural areas across the country, even outside the South. Throughout the decade, this led to a strengthening correlation between population density and political party support. [25] At the same time, increased political polarization made it more challenging for conservative Democrats to win in areas which voted for Republicans in presidential elections, culminating in Republicans flipping the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2016, the final Democratic-controlled legislative chamber in a deeply Republican state. [26]

Midwest

Bolstered by heavily gerrymandered legislative maps, the 2010s saw a sharply-conservative turn in Midwestern state policy. By the end of the decade, five Midwestern states had adopted right-to-work laws, with a sixth, Missouri, rejecting one in a 2018 veto referendum. [13] [27] These policies remained in place even as Democrats made gains in statewide elections in these states, winning the governorships in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania in 2018. Democrats won the aggregate popular vote in the lower house elections in all three of these states, but they did not win control of any of them due to gerrymandering. [28] Democrats would only begin to be able to reverse these policies after the implementation of new legislative maps in the 2020s. [29] In other states, such as Ohio, Democrats have been unable to regain power in any meaningful form since their 2010 losses. [30]

Donald Trump

The Tea Party movement's success in the 2010 election predicated the rise of Donald Trump as the dominant force in the Republican Party. Tea Party candidates ran on anti-establishment credentials, favoring low taxes, minimal government intervention, and fierce social conservatism. These became defining features of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, the rise of the Make American Great Again movement, and Trumpism. [31] Many of the regions outside the South where Republicans made the largest gains in 2010 swung sharply towards Donald Trump in the 2016 election despite having voted for Barack Obama again in the 2012 election. [32] [33]

Maps

State summaries

Alabama

All of the seats of the Alabama Legislature were up for election. Republicans flipped control of both state legislative chambers, winning them for the first time since 1874. [34] After the election, an additional four Democratic state representatives switched parties, giving Republicans a supermajority in the chamber. [35]

Alabama Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 1422Increase2.svg 8
Independent 11Steady2.svg
Democratic 2012Decrease2.svg 8
Total3535
Alabama House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 4562Increase2.svg 17
Democratic 6043Decrease2.svg 17
Total105105

Alaska

All of the seats of the Alaska House of Representatives and half of the Alaska Senate were up for election. The Democratic-led coalition maintained control of the Senate while Republicans maintained control of the House.

Alaska Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 1010Steady2.svg
Republican 65Steady2.svg
45
Total2020
Alaska House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2224Increase2.svg 2
Democratic 184Decrease2.svg 2
12
Total4040

Arizona

All of the seats of the Arizona Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Arizona Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 1821Increase2.svg 3
Democratic 129Decrease2.svg 3
Total3030
Arizona House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3640Increase2.svg 4
Democratic 2420Decrease2.svg 4
Total6060

Arkansas

All of the seats of the Arkansas House of Representatives and half of the Arkansas Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers but with substantially reduced majorities.

Arkansas Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2720Decrease2.svg 7
Republican 815Increase2.svg 7
Total3535
Arkansas House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 7255Decrease2.svg 17
Republican 2845Increase2.svg 17
Total100100

California

All of the seats of the California House of Representatives and half of the California Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

California State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2525Steady2.svg
Republican 1515Steady2.svg
Total4040
California State Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 5052Increase2.svg 2
Republican 2928Decrease2.svg 1
Independent 10Decrease2.svg 1
Total8080

Colorado

All of the seats of the Colorado House of Representatives and half of the Colorado Senate were up for election. Republicans won control of the House while Democrats maintained control of the Senate.

Colorado Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2120Decrease2.svg 1
Republican 1415Increase2.svg 1
Total3535
Colorado House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2733Increase2.svg 6
Democratic 3832Decrease2.svg 6
Total6565

Connecticut

All of the seats of the Connecticut Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Connecticut State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2423Decrease2.svg 1
Republican 1213Increase2.svg 1
Total3636
Connecticut House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 11499Decrease2.svg 15
Republican 3752Increase2.svg 15
Total151151

Delaware

All of the seats of the Delaware House of Representatives and half of the Delaware Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Delaware Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 1514Decrease2.svg 1
Republican 67Increase2.svg 1
Total2121
Delaware House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2426Increase2.svg 2
Republican 1715Decrease2.svg 2
Total4141

Florida

All of the seats of the Florida House of Representatives and half of the Florida Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Florida Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2628Increase2.svg 2
Democratic 1412Decrease2.svg 2
Total4040
Florida House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 7681Increase2.svg 5
Democratic 4439Decrease2.svg 5
Total120120

Georgia

All of the seats of the Georgia Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Georgia State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3435Increase2.svg 1
Democratic 2221Decrease2.svg 1
Total5656
Georgia House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 105108Increase2.svg 3
Democratic 7471Decrease2.svg 3
Independent 11Steady2.svg
Total180180

Hawaii

All of the seats of the Hawaii House of Representatives and half of the Hawaii Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Hawaii Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2324Increase2.svg 1
Republican 21Decrease2.svg 1
Total2525
Hawaii House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 4543Decrease2.svg 2
Republican 68Increase2.svg 2
Total5151

Idaho

All of the seats of the Idaho Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Idaho Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2828Steady2.svg
Democratic 77Steady2.svg
Total3535
Idaho House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 5257Increase2.svg 5
Democratic 1813Decrease2.svg 5
Total7070

Illinois

All of the seats of the Illinois House of Representatives and 1/3rd of the Illinois Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Illinois Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 3734Decrease2.svg 3
Republican 2225Increase2.svg 3
Total5959
Illinois House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 7064Decrease2.svg 6
Republican 4854Increase2.svg 6
Total118118

Indiana

All of the seats of the Indiana House of Representatives and half of the Indiana Senate were up for election. Republicans expanded their majority in the Senate and flipped control of the House of Representatives, winning their largest legislative gains in over 25 years. [10]

Indiana Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3336Increase2.svg 3
Democratic 1714Decrease2.svg 3
Total5050
Indiana House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 4860Increase2.svg 12
Democratic 5240Decrease2.svg 12
Total100100

Iowa

All of the seats of the Iowa House of Representatives and half of the Iowa Senate were up for election. Republicans won control of the House of Representatives and Democrats maintained control of the Senate.

Iowa Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 3226Decrease2.svg 6
Republican 1824Increase2.svg 6
Total5050
Iowa House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 4360Increase2.svg 17
Democratic 5740Decrease2.svg 17
Total100100

Kansas

All of the seats of the Kansas House of Representatives. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Kansas House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 7792Increase2.svg 15
Democratic 4833Decrease2.svg 15
Total125125

Kentucky

All of the seats of the Kentucky House of Representatives and half of the Kentucky Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate and Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives.

Kentucky Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2022Increase2.svg 2
Independent 11Steady2.svg
Democratic 1715Decrease2.svg 2
Total3838
Kentucky House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 6558Decrease2.svg 7
Republican 3542Increase2.svg 7
Total100100

Maine

All of the seats of the Maine Legislature were up for election. Republicans won control of both legislative chambers.

Maine Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 1520Increase2.svg 5
Democratic 2014Decrease2.svg 6
Independent 01Increase2.svg 1
Total3535
Maine House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 5578Increase2.svg 23
Democratic 9572Decrease2.svg 23
Independent 11Steady2.svg
Total151151

Maryland

All of the seats of the Maryland Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Maryland Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 3335Increase2.svg 2
Republican 1412Decrease2.svg 2
Total4747
Maryland House of Delegates
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 10498Decrease2.svg 6
Republican 3743Increase2.svg 6
Total141141

Massachusetts

All of the seats of the Massachusetts Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Massachusetts Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 3536Increase2.svg 1
Republican 54Decrease2.svg 1
Total4040
Massachusetts House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 144130Decrease2.svg 14
Republican 1530Increase2.svg 15
Independent 10Decrease2.svg 1
Total160160

Michigan

All of the seats of the Michigan Legislature were up for election. Republicans made large gains in both chambers, flipping control of the House and expanding their majority in the Senate. [10]

Michigan Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2226Increase2.svg 4
Democratic 1612Decrease2.svg 4
Total3838
Michigan House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 4363Increase2.svg 20
Democratic 6747Decrease2.svg 20
Total110110

Minnesota

All of the seats of the Minnesota Legislature were up. Republicans won control of both chambers.

Minnesota Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2137Increase2.svg 16
Democratic (DFL) 4630Decrease2.svg 16
Total6767
Minnesota House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 4772Increase2.svg 25
Democratic (DFL) 8762Decrease2.svg 25
Total134134

Missouri

All of the seats of the Missouri House of Representatives and half of the Missouri Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Missouri Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2326Increase2.svg 3
Democratic 118Decrease2.svg 3
Total3434
Missouri House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 89105Increase2.svg 16
Democratic 7458Decrease2.svg 16
Total163163

Montana

All of the seats of the Montana House of Representatives and half of the Montana Senate were up for election. Republicans won control of the House and maintained control of the Senate.

Montana Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2728Increase2.svg 1
Democratic 2322Decrease2.svg 1
Total5050
Montana House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 5068Increase2.svg 18
Democratic 50 [i] 32Decrease2.svg 18
Total100100

Nebraska

Nebraska is the only U.S. state with a unicameral legislature; half of the seats of the Nebraska Legislature were up for election. Nebraska is also unique in that its legislature is officially non-partisan and holds non-partisan elections, although the Democratic and Republican parties each endorse legislative candidates. Republicans maintained control.

Nebraska Legislature
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3032Increase2.svg 2
Democratic 1917Decrease2.svg 2
Total4949

Nevada

All of the seats of the Nevada House of Representatives and half of the Nevada Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Nevada Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 1211Decrease2.svg 1
Republican 910Increase2.svg 1
Total2121
Nevada Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2826Decrease2.svg 2
Republican 1416Increase2.svg 2
Total4242

New Hampshire

All of the seats of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and the New Hampshire Senate were up for election. Republicans won control of both legislative chambers.

New Hampshire Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 1019Increase2.svg 9
Democratic 145Decrease2.svg 9
Total2424
New Hampshire House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 176298Increase2.svg 122
Democratic 224102Decrease2.svg 122
Total400400

New Mexico

All of the seats of the New Mexico House of Representatives. Democrats maintained control of the chamber.

New Mexico House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 4536Decrease2.svg 9
Republican 2534Increase2.svg 9
Total7070

New York

All of the seats of the New York Legislature were up for election. Republicans won control of the Senate, and Democrats maintained control of the Assembly.

New York State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3032Increase2.svg 2
Democratic 3230Decrease2.svg 2
Total6262
New York State Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 10799Decrease2.svg 8
Republican 4150Increase2.svg 9
Independence 11Steady2.svg
Working Families 10Decrease2.svg 1
Total150150

North Carolina

All of the seats of the North Carolina House of Representatives and half of the North Carolina Senate were up for election. Republicans made massive gains, flipping control of both state legislative chambers, winning them both simultaneously for the first time in over a century. [10]

North Carolina Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2031Increase2.svg 11
Democratic 3019Decrease2.svg 11
Total5050
North Carolina House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 5267Increase2.svg 15
Independent 01Increase2.svg 1
Democratic 6852Decrease2.svg 16
Total120120

North Dakota

All of the seats of the North Dakota House of Representatives and half of the North Dakota Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

North Dakota Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2635Increase2.svg 9
Democratic-NPL 2112Decrease2.svg 9
Total4747
North Dakota House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 5869Increase2.svg 11
Democratic-NPL 3625Decrease2.svg 11
Total9494

Ohio

All of the seats of the Ohio House of Representatives and half of the Ohio Senate were up for election. Republicans won control of the House of Representatives and maintained control of the Senate.

Ohio Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2123Increase2.svg 2
Democratic 1210Decrease2.svg 2
Total3333
Ohio House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 4659Increase2.svg 13
Democratic 5340Decrease2.svg 13
Total9999

Oklahoma

All of the seats of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and half of the Oklahoma Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Oklahoma Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2632Increase2.svg 6
Democratic 2216Decrease2.svg 6
Total4848
Oklahoma House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 6270Increase2.svg 8
Democratic 3931Decrease2.svg 8
Total101101

Oregon

All of the seats of the Oregon House of Representatives and half of the Oregon Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of the Senate, and the House of Representatives became tied.

Oregon State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 1816Decrease2.svg 2
Republican 1214Increase2.svg 2
Total3030
Oregon House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 3630Decrease2.svg 6
Republican 2430Increase2.svg 6
Total6060

Pennsylvania

All of the seats of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and half of the Pennsylvania Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of the Senate and won control of the House of Representatives.

Pennsylvania State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 3030Steady2.svg
Democratic 2020Steady2.svg
Total5050
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 99112Increase2.svg 13
Democratic 10491Decrease2.svg 13
Total203203

Rhode Island

All of the seats of the Rhode Island Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Rhode Island Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 3329Decrease2.svg 4
Republican 48Increase2.svg 4
Independent 11Steady2.svg
Total3838
Rhode Island House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 6965Decrease2.svg 4
Republican 610Increase2.svg 4
Total7575

South Carolina

All of the seats of the South Carolina House of Representatives were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

South Carolina House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 7376Increase2.svg 3
Democratic 5148Decrease2.svg 3
Total124124

South Dakota

All of the seats of the South Dakota Legislature were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

South Dakota Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2130Increase2.svg 9
Democratic 145Decrease2.svg 9
Total3535
South Dakota House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 4650Increase2.svg 4
Democratic 2419Decrease2.svg 5
Independent 01Increase2.svg 1
Total7070

Tennessee

All of the seats of the Tennessee House of Representatives and half of the Tennessee Senate were up for election. After having narrowly won control of both chambers in the 2008 election, Republicans greatly expanded their majority in the House and picked up one seat in the Senate. [10]

Tennessee Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 1920Increase2.svg 1
Democratic 1413Decrease2.svg 1
Total3333
Tennessee House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 5064Increase2.svg 14
Democratic 4834Decrease2.svg 14
Independent Republican 11Steady2.svg
Total9999

Texas

All of the seats of the Texas House of Representatives and half of the Texas Senate were up for election. After having nearly lost control of the Texas House in 2008, Republicans routed the Democrats, flipping 22 seats. Republicans erased all of the gains Democrats had made in 2006 and 2008, and they defeated almost every Democrat representing a rural, Republican-leaning district. [36]

Texas Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 1919Steady2.svg
Democratic 1212Steady2.svg
Total3131
Texas House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 7799Increase2.svg 22
Democratic 7351Decrease2.svg 22
Total150150

Utah

All of the seats of the Utah House of Representatives and half of the Utah Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Utah State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2122Increase2.svg 1
Democratic 87Decrease2.svg 1
Total2929
Utah House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 5358Increase2.svg 5
Democratic 2217Decrease2.svg 5
Total7575

Vermont

All of the seats of the Vermont Legislature were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Vermont Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2321Decrease2.svg 2
Republican 78Increase2.svg 1
Progressive 01Increase2.svg 1
Total3030
Vermont House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 9494Steady2.svg
Republican 4848Steady2.svg
Progressive 55Steady2.svg
Independent 33Steady2.svg
Total150150

Washington

All of the seats of the Washington House of Representatives and half of the Washington Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both legislative chambers.

Washington State Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 3127Decrease2.svg 4
Republican 1822Increase2.svg 4
Total4949
Washington House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 6156Decrease2.svg 5
Republican 3742Increase2.svg 5
Total9898

West Virginia

All of the seats of the West Virginia House of Delegates and half of the West Virginia Senate were up for election. Democrats maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

West Virginia Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 2628Increase2.svg 2
Republican 86Decrease2.svg 2
Total3434
West Virginia House of Delegates
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 7165Decrease2.svg 6
Republican 2935Increase2.svg 6
Total100100

Wisconsin

All of the seats of the Wisconsin Assembly and half of the Wisconsin Senate were up for election. Republicans flipped control of both state legislative chambers, as well as the governorship, winning complete control of state government for the first time since 1998. [10]

Wisconsin Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 1519Increase2.svg 4
Democratic 1814Decrease2.svg 4
Total3333
Wisconsin State Assembly
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 4660Increase2.svg 13
Democratic 5138Decrease2.svg 12
Independent 21Decrease2.svg 1
Total9999

Wyoming

All of the seats of the Wyoming House of Representatives and half of the Wyoming Senate were up for election. Republicans maintained control of both state legislative chambers.

Wyoming Senate
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 2326Increase2.svg 3
Democratic 74Decrease2.svg 3
Total3030
Wyoming House of Representatives
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Republican 4150Increase2.svg 9
Democratic 1910Decrease2.svg 9
Total6060

Territorial and federal district summaries

American Samoa

All of the seats of the American Samoa Senate and the American Samoa House of Representatives were up for election. Members of the Senate serve four-year terms, while members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms. Gubernatorial and legislative elections are conducted on a nonpartisan basis in American Samoa.

Guam

Guam Legislature
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 99Steady2.svg
Republican 66Steady2.svg
Total1515

U.S. Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands Legislature
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 1010Steady2.svg
Independent 55Steady2.svg
Total1515

Washington, D.C.

District of Columbia Council
PartyBeforeAfterChange
Democratic 1111Steady2.svg
Independent 22Steady2.svg
Total1313

Notes

  1. 1 2 The Alaska Senate was controlled by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans. The minority caucus consists of Republicans who were not part of the majority coalition.
  2. The Oregon House of Representatives was tied in the 2011-2013 session. This is not included in the total.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 The upper houses of Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Texas use a 2-4-4 term length system.
  4. 1 2 3 These figures represent the seats of Nebraska's unicameral legislature.
  5. Counts seats that were vacant prior to the election towards the party that last held them
  6. Counts seats in the officially nonpartisan Nebraska legislature towards the party that endorsed each candidate
  7. Counts seats that were vacant prior to the election towards the party that last held them
  8. Prior to the 2010 election, the 100 seats in the Montana House of Representatives were evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, but the Democratic Party controlled the chamber by virtue of holding the governor's office.
  9. The Democratic Party controlled the chamber by virtue of holding the governor's office.

References

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